Washington, George, 1732-1799. The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources
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To THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS

   Head Quarters, Middle Brook, May 11, 1779.

    Sir: I have the honor to inclose Your Excellency copies of letters and papers, 72 which have passed on the subject of a late

[Note:Copies of Maxwell s letter to Washington, May 6, 1779; of Washington's letter to Maxwell, May 7; of the letter of officers of the First New Jersey Regiment to Washington, May 13; of the address of the officers of the New Jersey brigade to the legislature of New Jersey, April 11; and of Washington's letter to Maxwell, May 10, are filed with Washington's letter in the Papers of the Continental Congress.]
remonstrance from the officers of the 1st Jersey Regiment, to the Assembly of their state. This is an affair which Congress will no doubt view in a very serious light. To me it appears truly alarming. It shows what is to be apprehended, if some adequate provision is not generally made for the officers. I have frequently taken the liberty to suggest my sentiments of what ought to be done. The subject was particularly discussed in my late interviews with the Committee of conference. A repetition would be needless. I shall observe that the distresses in some corps are so great, either where they were not till lately attached to particular states, or where the states have been less provident, that officers have solicited even to be supplied with the cloathing destined for the common soldiery coarse and unsuitable as they were. I had not power to comply with the request.

    The patience of men, animated by a sense of duty and honour will support them to a certain point, beyond which it will not go. I doubt not Congress will be sensible of the danger of an extreme in this respect, and will pardon my anxiety to obviate it. 73

[Note:The draft was first written: "I hope the patience of our officers may not be tried too far. Congress will pardon me if I seem importunate." ]

    I view the conduct of the officers concerned in the present instance as highly blameable; and I have signified my disapprobation. I trust the mode will not be thought too mild, when our situation is considered. 74 The causes of discontent are too great and too general and the ties that bind the officers to the service too feeble to admit of rigor.

[Note:At this point the draft has the following stricken out: "I hope the officers in general may be found more prudent; indeed a considerable part of them from recent arrangements of some of the states have less reason to complain. But there is much cause for what has been done; how much reason they had for acting as they did, and how natural." ]

    Their letter to me in which they undertake to justify their conduct was embarrassing. 75 I thought it best to take no direct

[Note:The draft has "peculiarly embarrassing." ]
notice of it; because I must either have done too much for our circumstances, or too little for the nature of the proceeding. I contented myself with writing the letter to General Maxwell of the 10th.

    I have this moment received information, that the Assembly have made some provision for their troops. It seems there was a compromise upon the occasion. The officers withdrew their remonstrance, and the Assembly went into the business. It is lamentable, that the measure should have been delayed, 'till it became in a manner extorted. Notwithstanding the expedient adopted for a saving appearances, this cannot fail to operate as a bad precedent.

    Mr. Flint 76 has delivered me extracts of some letters, he has lately received, by which it appears that the Commissary's department is exceedingly distressed for the want of money. The disappointment in the article of cattle mentioned by Mr. Champion 77 will sensibly affect our Western expedition, which depended on a supply from the Eastward. If we should be able to feed this army by the help of salt provisions, this is a resource which will not answer for that expedition.

[Note:Royal Flint, Assistant Commissary General of Purchases. ]
[Note:Henry Champion, Deputy Commissary General of Purchases. ]

    I was duly honored with your favour of the 4th. Congress will be pleased to accept my thanks for the assistance offered in the article of specie for secret services, which I shall draw for as occasion may require. 78 With the help of this necessary ingredient, good intelligence might be obtained were not the channel obstructed by a too cautious policy in the states. To enable our correspondents among the enemy to convey their

[Note:"I am directed to inform you that if you want Specie for secret Service, you may draw for any Sum, or Sums to the amount of two thousand Guineas upon the treasurer who will pay the same." -- President of Congress to Washington , May 4, 1779. This letter is in the Washington Papers.]
intelligence, we are often obliged to make use of ambiguous characters as the vehicles; and to permit them to carry on some traffic both as an encouragement and cover to their mission. There have been instances of prosecutions in the civil courts against these people; and in order to screen them from punishment, we have been under a necessity of discovering their occupation. This has served to deter others from acting in the same capacity, and to increase the dread of detection in our confidential friends.

    I have made an application for the cannon at Boston. With perfect respect and esteem etc.

    P.S. Since writing the above your favour of the 5th, is received. 79

[Note:In the writing of Alexander Hamilton. The P.S. is in the letter sent, but does not appear in the draft. ]